From DMTC Publicity
DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 31, 2018) — Winning a stakes in his career debut, Listing scored a one and one-quarter length upset victory in the $100,690 I’m Smokin Stakes for Golden State Series eligible two-year-olds on Friday at Del Mar. The unexpected win provided a fourth straight victory for jockey Mario Gutierrez and the third in a row for breeder/owners Reddam Racing LLC.
“He relaxed and was running great,” said Gutierrez. “When I got to the quarter pole, I started to get excited. Then when we turned for home a hole opened and he went right through it. I thought he might run well, but this was a surprise. A very pleasant surprise.”
Listing, a son of Square Eddie trained by Ben Cecil, inched away between foes midstretch and prevailed to win at 22-1 odds in a field of eight. Silken Prince, a homebred son of Kafwain trained by William Morey, was favored at 8-5 odds under Flavien Prat and was fourth behind second-place Policy and third-place Oliver.
“I do know a bit about the horse because he was with us here at Del Mar after the (San Luis Rey) fire before he went to Ben,” said Edward Freeman, deputizing for Cecil. “He’s always been really special and talented. I wasn’t surprised (a first-time starter winning a stakes). Mr. Reddam (owner J. Paul) is never shy about giving it a shot and that’s why you give it a shot – you sit in the barn you never win, that’s for sure. Listing was perfect; he was a bit green but he handled being in among horses and when Mario (Gutierrez) asked him he responded. That’s impressive.“
Timed in 1:11.63 for six furlongs on the main track, Listing returned $46.40, $17.40 and $7.80 while earning $57,000 as first place finisher.
Policy returned $3.80 and $3, and Oliver returned $3.20 to show.
Gutierrez has 15 wins this meet, solidifying his place among the top 10 in the jockey standings heading into Del Mar’s closing weekend. He won the final two races on Thursday’s card and kept up the momentum to win the first and second races Friday afternoon.